Alison Hammond apologises for ‘making light’ of banning singing in theatres after ‘mini riot’ during the Bodyguard in Manchester

Alison Hammond has apologised for ‘making light’ of audiences singing along to musicals during a segment on This Morning following reports of a ‘mini riot’ during a performance of The Bodyguard at Manchester's Palace Theatre. Alison has said she is "truly sorry" and vowed to "do better in the future" after the popular presenter and her colleagues Dermot O’Leary, and Vanessa Feltz discussed whether audience members should be allowed to sing along while professional actors are performing on stage.

The discussion during Wednesday's episode, ahead of the disruption on Friday night, was widely slammed on social media. The trio reacted in disbelief as they discussed The Palace's clampdown on singing during The Bodyguard, which was introduced after "anti-social behaviour" from audiences in other cities.

"Staff are taking this very, very seriously and inflicting these rules and they are regularly walking up the aisles before the performance and during the intervals with no singing signs," explained Alison, and Dermot chuckled: "This is great."

READ MORE: Woman describes moment 'prison guard' security workers 'dragged' her partner out of Bodyguard show at Palace Theatre

Alison said: "I mean, I can't believe it. I'd be devastated, I'm not even going to go to that show now." And Vanessa said: "Isn't it the whole point of going to a musical you know, that you sing along to all the bits you know and when you don't know the words you just make them up? Isn't that what everybody does very very loudly while eating an ice cream?"

There was a backlash to their comments with @HolderSuzan saying: "Please invite musical performers onto @thismorning asap to explain to @AlisonHammond @VanessaOnAir @radioleary & viewers why singing along in